American Elements
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Advanced materials, Chemicals manufacturing |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Michael Silver |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California , United States |
Area served | International |
Key people | Michael Silver (Founder and CEO) |
| Products | Advanced materials, rare earth elements, nanomaterials, bulk chemicals, alloys, organometallic compounds, precursors for pharmaceuticals, fusion energy materials |
| Website | www |
American Elements operates as an international producer and supplier specializing in advanced materials, featuring an extensive online inventory with over 35,000 distinct products. Based in Los Angeles, California, the firm maintains research and manufacturing sites located in Salt Lake City, Utah; Monterrey, Mexico; China; and Manchester, UK.
History
Established in 1997, American Elements began as a toll manufacturer of chemicals catering to U.S. mining enterprises, initially focusing on metal-based chemicals derived from domestic sources. Following the 1998 shutdown of major U.S. rare-earth providers, the company adapted by forming mining partnerships in Inner Mongolia, China, becoming one of the earliest post-Cold War exporters of rare-earth metals to markets in the United States and Europe.
Throughout the subsequent decade, American Elements broadened its range to encompass every element listed on the periodic table and initiated educational initiatives designed to enhance understanding of elemental properties and their practical uses. In 2001, it introduced a comprehensive website that delivers detailed information regarding material characteristics, applications, safety protocols, and scientific research.
That same year marked the establishment of a dedicated research and development division aimed at innovating cost-efficient methodologies for scaling up bulk production of commercially relevant materials. The company emphasizes scalable production technologies that correspond with market needs and frequently partners with technology collaborators. Its clientele includes agencies such as the U.S. military along with 30% of companies within the Fortune 50.
On November 12, 2020, American Elements ventured into the life sciences arena by inaugurating a manufacturing division focused on life science and organic chemistry products.
Innovations
American Elements has created numerous advanced materials applicable across various sectors, including:
- Gadolinium nitrate synthesized using heavy water for neutron absorption during nuclear reactor servicing
- Rare-earth-based compounds functioning as dry-film lubricants under extreme temperature and pressure conditions
- Nanoscale powders formulated for use in orally disintegrating pharmaceutical formulations
- Neodymium oxide additives designed to diminish yellow-green emissions in incandescent lighting
- Zinc oxide nanoparticles utilized as antimicrobial agents within textile manufacturing
- High-purity ytterbium(III) fluoride employed in radiopaque dental composite materials
- Nanoscale electrolyte substances developed for next-generation lithium-sulfur battery technologies
- Iridium components intended for jewelry applications, distributed through Smithson Tennant, a wholly owned subsidiary founded in 2016
Product lines
The company’s product range comprises:
- Elemental forms with ultra-high purity levels
- Bulk chemicals, compounds for research, and catalytic materials
- Rare earth elements
- Nanomaterials including nanoparticles and graphene derivatives
- Sputtering targets alongside evaporation materials
- Organometallic chemical compounds
- Alloys, superalloys, and precision-engineered metal parts
- Precursors used in pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Materials supporting fusion energy development and emerging energy technologies
Educational programs
In 2006, American Elements established the Academics & Periodicals Department as a nonprofit effort aimed at delivering information on advanced elemental materials, international mining challenges, and science education. This division has supported numerous industry events and collaborated with the National Science Foundation to co-produce a PBS Nova series focused on materials science. It promotes openness within global metal markets and examines rare-earth element pricing trends in relation to China's economic growth forecasts. Each year, the department releases the Endangered Elements List, which identifies essential elements threatened by geopolitical supply constraints, thereby alerting industry participants to potential risks in high-tech manufacturing supply chains.
Leadership
Michael Silver, founder and CEO of American Elements, is widely acknowledged for his deep knowledge of rare earth elements, especially regarding the political and economic dynamics influencing the worldwide supply chain. He regularly authors articles and delivers presentations on these subjects, shaping industry discussions and market outlooks. Silver coined terms such as "Innovation Distortion" to describe the reluctance to use certain elements due to concerns over resource control, and the "Environmentalist's Catch-22" to emphasize the dilemma between advocating for green technologies while opposing mining of critical metals.
Beyond his corporate role, Silver's leadership encompasses philanthropic initiatives. In 2011, he played a key role in establishing a collaboration between UCLA Medical Center and Inner Mongolian Medical Teaching College that enabled student exchanges and a joint program addressing AIDS. He serves as a trustee or board member for prominent organizations including the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, Sarara Initiative in Kenya, and the Getty Research Institute. Furthermore, Silver supports arts programs by funding artist residencies at UCLA's Hammer Museum and contributing artworks to the National Museum of African American History & Culture.